The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 132
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“I am not surprised to see you in here so early. I knew you would not sleep well,” Cahir said with a smile, as he added the tea and water to his mug.
“No, my mind would not stop racing, only allowing me to doze for a bit. I was hoping to get back to the private quarters and perhaps steal a chance to see Laurel,” Caleb replied with a doubting smile.
“Hmm. No chance of that happening old man. The women of the house are not going to let you anywhere near her. You know how strongly they feel about their silly Bridal traditions,” Cahir mentioned, hitting Caleb lightly on the arm as he took a sip of tea. “Father has plans of all of us joining him for breakfast, to keep us out of the way, especially you,” Cahir grinned mordantly, taking another sip of his tea.
“I cannot help but remember what a horrible feeling of foreboding I had with my first wedding. I have never said this to anyone, but I almost left for Ardara that morning, I was going to tell Father I simply could not go along with it. Then I wake this morning, feeling nothing but anxious anticipation. It is going to be madding if I cannot see Laurel, until she is escorted down the aisle,” Caleb mentioned, with a slight smile shaking his head.
“If I recall correctly, Morene was not living at the Lodge until after the wedding,” Cahir stated, with an irritated look.
“No, she was not. She did not wish to live here any sooner than she had to, and none of the women in the family could put up with her. Which is why they are all thoroughly enjoying themselves now,” Caleb remarked with a light laugh, finishing his tea.
“Well you see? This is all your doing. You brought them home someone they could all fuss over and have fun with. Someone who would actually enjoy all the silliness and attention,” Cahir replied laughing, at the thought of all that would be going on throughout the morning.
“How could you both be laughing this early in the morning?” Aiden asked grumpily as he entered the kitchen taking a mug off the shelf as well. “I am quite surprised to see you still here. I thought you would have snuck over to the Lodge by now to steal Laurel away before anyone noticed,” Aidan said to Caleb, fixing his tea as grinned over at him.
“Oh they would have noticed. Are you forgetting Ione is in with her? I have no doubt they have locked her door. No, I intend to wait until everyone is up and milling about and becoming distracted. I will attempt to sneak about and see her then,” Caleb answered with a smug smile.
“That is not going to happen Caleb,” Rian spoke up, as he groggily walked into the kitchen. “Oh, for the love of the Maker. Someone make me a cup of tea, my head is killing me,” he complained as he leaned against the small cabinet, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Here, you are quite pathetic,” Aiden spoke with a slightly irritated tone, as he handed Rian his mug, than began to fix another for himself.
“So why do you feel I will not succeed with my plan Rian?” Caleb asked good naturedly.
“Because every woman in the house will not let you near her. Not to mention my wife will be guarding Laurel like a Scimitar. In fact I will not be the least bit surprised if she has me send her maid to fetch her dress, so she can dress at the Lodge and not leave her post. She has already expected you to try something, when you found out they would be keeping your Bride from you all morning,” Rian explained, with a tired smile.
“Well I have always been fond of a good challenge. So after I check on poor Owain, I shall head back to the Lodge, and see what I can see,” Caleb smiled self-assuredly, as he headed out of the kitchen to the staff bath.
Entering the bath trying not to make too much noise, Caleb smiled sadly at seeing Owain still lying on the floor, on his back, his mouth wide open and snoring loudly. Just then Aiden walked in and striding purposely to the large window on the other side of the room, pulled the drapes wide open, as the sun was now becoming brighter.
“Good morning Owain! How are you feeling this fine day?” Aiden cruelly yelled, as he kneeled down next to Owain and shook him roughly awake.
“Oh! Oh please, just kill me now and be done with it,” Owain said, in a weak and pitiful voice.
“Aiden you miserable bastard leave the poor sop alone,” Caleb laughed shaking his head sympathetically at Owain, who was attempting to cover his head with the pillow.
“Call me a slut will you? Not feeling so witty this morning are you?” Aiden asked smirking, as he pushed Owain’s shoulder before standing up, ignoring his moaning.
“I am leaving now. Please try not to torture him too much this morning, so he will be able to stand up for the wedding,” Caleb said to Aiden, as he turned to leave the bath.
“He will be fine. Cahir and I will bring him over to the Lodge shortly,” Aiden replied, hitting Caleb on the arm.
Just then the sound of Owain becoming sick caused the brothers to look over at him with looks of repugnance.
“You see? He does that a few more times and he will be just fine,” Aiden mentioned with a reassuring grin.
Cahir and Deaglan then walked into the bath, looking over at Owain with grimaced expressions.
“There now. Did I not say this is where he needed to be?” Cahir asked, as he gestured over to Owain, as he became sick once again.
“Yes you did, and with that final note, I am leaving” Caleb replied with a mordant smile, as Deaglan laughed.
“Going to try to catch a glimpse of your Bride are you?” Deaglan inquired, as Caleb began to make his way to the corridor door.
“That is the intent, though I have been told by everyone I will not succeed,” Caleb answered, rolling his eyes.
Caleb walked down the corridor taking his time, as he glanced out the windows. The Sentries were still talking and lingering about in a relaxed manner, Caleb stopped walking for a moment to watch them. He smiled at seeing the relaxed demeanor they all seemed to have. Even though it would be a day of heightened security, it would also be a day of joy and happiness. Caleb then continued on, walking through the door which opened into the Grand Hall. The attendants responsible for keeping the blooms and foliage fresh, for all the arrangements and centerpieces, were already busy at work. The kitchen staff could be heard bustling about, delicious smells emitting from the busy and loud room.
Caleb made his way up the staircase as two maids walked past him saying good morning and giggling gleefully.
“Good morning ladies,” Caleb answered back, smiling at them charmingly.
As he turned to walk down the corridor he saw Imagin walking just ahead of him, still in her nightgown.
“Imagin,” Caleb called out, as quietly as he could, as Imagin turned around looking first surprised, then smirking at him. “Come here,” Caleb continued, as he gestured for Imagin to walk over to him.
Imagin walked over to him with an amused smile on her face, walking slowly and deliberately, as Caleb looked at her with growing impatience.
“Could you have taken any longer to walk over here?” Caleb asked, with an annoyed grin.
“What do you want Caleb?” Imagin asked very curtly.
“Do not use that tone with me my dear. You know exactly what I want. Where is Laurel?” Caleb asked, in a low voice.
“I cannot tell you. Everyone knew you would be here, and I was told if I saw you, not to say anything,” Imagin replied very smugly.
“Well it is more than obvious Laurel is not in her room, her door is wide open,” Caleb stated with a frown, looking over at Laurel’s room. “Imagin, tell me where Laurel is, and I will buy you something pretty when we go on our honeymoon,” Caleb said to her, with an appealing grin.
“Really? I wish for a necklace like Laurel’s. If you promise to buy that for me I will tell you where Laurel is,” Imagin stated, with wide eyes and a bright smile.
“No, I am not buying you a necklace like Laurel’s. It is not as if I can just go to a shop and pick one out. It took months to have that made for her. And even if I could, I would not. What are you thinking?” Caleb asked her, in an irritated tone.
“Fine then you will just have to wait until the wedding to see her,” Imagin replied with a cheeky pout, as she turned to walk away from him.
“Come back here,” Caleb said as he went to grab her, she skipped out of his reach with a little yelp, and to Caleb’s dismay, ran down towards his mother’s private sitting room.
“Caleb is here!” Imagin called out, as she turned to look at him once more, laughing gleefully.
“Oh wonderful,” he muttered, as he saw Ione walking out of the room towards him, her robe and long dark hair billowing behind her, as she walked.
“Caleb you are not supposed to be here,” Ione chided him, with her secretive smile.
“In the Lodge itself or the corridor?” Caleb asked with irritation, as he looked past her.
“You are just going to have to except the fact you will not be seeing your dear Laurel until the wedding. Aunt Alana is quite determined to keep this tradition. Laurel is very happy and most excited, you do not wish for her to become anxious if you become insistent do you?” Ione asked, with a raised eyebrow.
“Well of course not. I was having roses sent to her room, as one of my first gifts to her. How is Laurel supposed to see them, if you all keep her locked up in Mother’s sitting room?” Caleb asked, his irritation increasing with each word.
“When will they be arriving?” Ione asked, with an amused smile.
“At any moment now. I had it arranged to have them sent early in the morning as she woke up. I wished to see her expression when they arrived,” Caleb explained with a frustrated voice, as he raked his hand through his hair.
“Then have the roses delivered to Aunt Alana’s sitting room and I will send someone to tell you of her expression,” Ione suggested, trying to sound reasonable.
“Oh yes, that will be just as fulfilling,” Caleb replied with a scowl, in a mocking tone.
“Caleb, you are just going to have to accept that this is how it will be. Oh look, here are the roses now,” Ione suddenly announced, as three servants with Lucas leading them, arrived with large vases containing over a dozen silver roses in each vase.
“Yes, thank you Lucas. Just follow her Highness down to Queen Alana’s sitting room,” Caleb directed, with an air of defeat.
“We shall see you later dear,” Ione said as she kissed him on the cheek, then turned and walked back to the private sitting room, the servants following close behind.
Caleb walked into his room and sat down in his leather chair, his head back looking at the ceiling, feeling completely frustrated. A short time later King Fergus walked in the Caleb’s room giving him a warm and sympathetic smile.
“So, are you the one they sent in, to tell me of my sweet girl’s reaction to her roses?” Caleb asked, with an annoyed tone.
“Well no, not really,” King Fergus answered with a light laugh, sitting down at Caleb’s desk. “I will tell you however, that she was most happy with the roses. Her face just lit up the room when Lucas and the servants brought them all in. Someone better qualified to describe Laurel’s surprise and delight will be in here shortly to inform you. After which, please come into the dining room and enjoy a bit of breakfast, with me, Garron, and all your Groomsmen. It will help you to relax for a bit before the real fun begins,” King Fergus said with a wide smile, walking over and hitting Caleb’s shoulder.
A short time later Wendell came to Caleb’s room, standing in the open doorway, knocking softly. Caleb was now standing at his desk, looking over the list of security measures that had been put in place. He looked up with surprise to see Wendell standing there with a shy smile.
“Good morning Wendell. What can I do for you?” Caleb asked with a slight grin, looking back down at his list.
“Actually Sire, I feel there is something I can do for you. May I?” Wendell mentioned, as he gestured to come into the room.
Caleb looked up at him with a mordant smile.
“Yes of course. So, what exactly can you do for me Wendell?” Caleb asked, as Wendell walked to his desk.
The young Scribe was holding what appeared to be, two fairly large pieces of paper, against a drawing board. Caleb pulled out a chair and sat down, gesturing for Wendell to do the same.
“It was brought to my attention Sire, by Princess Laurel that you were a bit put out with not being able to see her this morning,” Wendell, replied with a warm smile as he sat down.
“So you have seen Laurel already then? Why does that not sound surprising?” Caleb asked sardonically.
“Her Highness, Queen Alana, sent for me quite early this morning. I, in fact was in the Queen’s private sitting room shortly after Princess Laurel arrived. Her Highness wished for me to record the Princess’s first moments of preparing for the wedding. So with that I brought some materials with me to do some sketches as well. I thought you might like to see them as a way of having a glimpse of your beloved,” Wendell explained happily, as he handed Caleb the first piece of paper.
Caleb took it carefully and looking at it was both surprised, and moved by what he saw, by looking into the eyes of the face he knew and loved so well.
The details stunningly realistic, with even the stray tendril that always fell across her face.
“Wendell, this is truly quite remarkable. I feel as if she is standing right before me. You have captured her smile perfectly,” Caleb admitted looking at Wendell with unexpected admiration.
“Thank you Sire. She was very happy when she walked into the room, smiling and laughing with all her Bridal attendants. Of course when Miss Imagin came into the room, telling everyone you were here, she laughed even more at Miss Imagin’s expressions. When Lucas and the other servants brought in the roses, which is when I began to sketch her. It is when she smiled that way Sire. She began to speak of you with such love and emotion, well I must be truthful, we were all a bit teary eyed,” Wendell said to Caleb, smiling again kindly, as Caleb once more looked at the sketch of Laurel lovingly.
“Thank you for that Wendell,” Caleb replied in a calm relaxed voice, as he handed the sketch back to Wendell.
“Oh please Sire I wish for you to keep it, as a wedding present, along with this sketch as well. It is of her Highness sitting with her Bridal attendants,” Wendell offered, happily handing Caleb the second sketch.
Caleb took the second sketch and looking at it laughed lightly, his eyes filling with emotion, as it was once more a perfect likeness of Laurel laughing with all of her attendants.
“She looks very happy, does she not?” Caleb asked, as he looked at Wendell, giving him a warm smile.
“She does indeed Sire. She was glowing. Her Highness will be a most beautiful Bride,” Wendell answered, returning Caleb’s smile.
“Wendell, I must ask you. Are you happy here in Heathwin?” Caleb asked, in a friendly warm voice.
“Oh, why yes Sire I am. In fact I can honestly say I have never been so happy,” Wendell answered very assuredly.
“Good. My reason for asking is, if you would like to stay…here with us, I would have no objections. Laurel is most fond of you, and my mother is as well, and they will keep you quite occupied. And it goes without saying Aiden and I find you most amusing,” Caleb said, with a kind smile.
“Thank you Sire. I…I would be most honored and happy to accept your offer to stay. As you know I have no real family, her Highness was the first person, since my parents and brother’s passing, to care for me. Since coming to Heathwin, I have felt a great sense of belonging,” Wendell expressed, in a voice trembling with emotion.
“Excellent, I shall inform Father that you will be staying. Come along Wendell. Join me for breakfast with my father and Laurel’s, as well as the Groomsmen. I wish to show them all your amazing talent. I dare say my cousin Kerrie is a most gifted artist, but you are just as gifted,” Caleb expressed with happy enthusiasm, as he stood up and patted Wendell on the back.
“Oh…why thank you Sire, but Queen Alana was expecting me to return in a short while,” Wendell explained with some concern, as he composed himself.
“I have no doubt she was. She can do without you for a bit. Come now, have something to eat and then you can return to record my beloved’s morning activities. The wedding does not begin until the early afternoon, you will have plenty of time,” Caleb smiled, as he led Wendell to the dining room.
Entering the dining room all the Groomsmen, including an exhausted but cheerful looking Owain, as well as the two fathers, and Phineas, all greeted Caleb and Wendell as they sat down at the already full table. Wendell could not believe his eyes as he looked hungrily, at all the hearty fare set before him.
“Here you are Wendell, do not be shy, help yourself,” Aiden directed, as he heaped a generous portion of fried potatoes and onions on Wendell’s plate.
“You must try these sausages Wendell they are really quite amazing. The butcher here in Heathwin does a remarkable job with smoking them,” Phineas replied, as he placed two large plump sausages on his plate as well.
“Try the bacon as well Wendell, it is my favourite,” Owain offered, as he placed several slices of thick bacon on Wendell’s plate.
Caleb sitting across from him also placed a large spoonful of scrambled eggs on his plate, as well as two thick slices of fried toast. Wendell smiled in happy surprise not only at his full plate, but the kind and welcoming way his presence was received. He was not fussed over but treated as a member of their circle.
“Well tuck in Wendell, do not just stare at it, it will not get in your stomach just wishing it to,” Caleb smirked at him, as everyone laughed.
Caleb then handed Wendell’s sketches to his father, who shared them with Garron who leaned over to look as well.
“Wendell was kind enough to share his work with me. Quite outstanding, are they not?” Caleb asked, both his father and King Garron.
“They most certainly are. I can almost hear her laughing,” King Garron was the first to reply.
“Well, seems you were able to get a glimpse of your Bride after all. Well done Wendell,” King Fergus spoke with a kind smile, as he handed the sketches to Aiden and Cahir.
